(The following article by Virginia Groark was posted on the Chicago Tribune website on August 15.)
CHICAGO — Days before children are slated to head back to school, Metra officials unveiled a railroad safety program Friday designed to keep youths off the tracks.
The plan is similar to one the agency launched in the spring after several people were killed by trains. But this one includes new elements, such as posters and computer screen savers with safety messages. Metra officials also will wear pins that ask parents if their children know about railroad safety.
“We’ve built upon what we did last spring, and we hope again we don’t have tragedy on the tracks,” said Philip Pagano, Metra’s executive director.
But more is needed, said Rev. Julius Smith, pastor of Ashburn United Methodist Church, who asked Metra’s board of directors to install fencing along the South West Service line between 81st and 87th Streets. Two 14-year-old girls have been killed on that section of tracks, including Kelly Nelson, who was wearing headphones en route to school last March when she was hit.
“I don’t think education alone is going to work,” Smith said after the board meeting. A combination of education, parental guidance, the fence, and law enforcement cooperation is needed, he said.
Smith also asked the board to survey the system to see if fences are needed in other areas. Finally, he asked Metra to slow down trains that travel through residential neighborhoods where yards back up to grade-level tracks.
Judy Pardonnet, an agency spokeswoman, said Metra generally prefers educational measures to fences because people tend to tear down barriers and the agency doesn’t have the staff to ensure they are properly maintained. But agency officials told Smith they would meet with him.
The agency intends to spend tens of thousands of dollars on its safety campaign, which will include contacting 3,000 schools and village and county officials to help educate youths on why it’s important not to cross railroad tracks. Leaflets will be put on trains, Pagano said. TV, radio and newspaper ads are also part of the plan.
Retired engineers and conductors have volunteered to do presentations at schools.